I can't wait 8)) Do you know the last time I got a fanzine in the mail? Like 1993, and I never got to read Zap! or any number of ones I wanted. I thank you for doing this. I'm even making my own fanzine now (looking for contributors, reviews for videogames, comics, music, movies, novels, tv episodes, etc.) and hope to review Zap for ish 1.

Sorry for the delay but here finally is my review (I've been under the weather)! Following it is an imaginary letter I might have sent you if my imaginary fanzine had ever been achieved:

I hold in my hand the premiere issue of the Zap! Fanzine, dated Sep/Oct 91 and hailing from the rather enigmatic Staten Island, New York. It plans to cover all the Ataris including many I wasn’t even aware existed (although he may have made up some of them), as well every other classic system from Fairchild Channel F to Odyssey2! I don’t even know what those are, so already I’m compelled to read this zine. The editor Terence Micharoni, or “Ace” as he demands to be called, will also cover the NES, Sega Master System and Neo-Geo.

You should know Zap! is a rather slender publication at 8 pages so coverage must necessarily be selective from ish to ish, but it’s filler free and packed with fascinating material you won’t find in the prozines, covering an era and earlier videogame subculture I am totally ignorant of. The first article discusses the videogame crash and I thought this was stupendous stuff. I now want to know more about ColecoVision and who made it.

Ter also lists and describes a number of places where vintage games can be purchased, provides info on all the other old-game fanzines (The 2600 Connection, The Survivalist, and Digital Press). He even writes a truly excellent and useful bit on newsletter publishing. Next are the reviews which are top notch and comprehensive. I was especially intrigued by the Hover Hovver review (for Atari 800, a personal computer). I think they should remake that one for the newer systems.

The issue wraps up with a fascinating and free Classified Ads section. I enjoy simply reading all the different and mysterious game titles and accessories.

So, overall Zap! is useful, interesting, and fun to explore. Bravo Terence, I honestly enjoyed my read and anticipate more of the same!

******************************

Dear Ter,

Thank you for sending me the first issue of Zap! Included is the first issue of my own fanzine, Warp! I see we are of a like mind as far as fanzine titling goes.I am curious to learn about TV PIXX. I’ve never seen it so maybe you could do a review in an upcoming issue of Zap! Also I know I would like to see more information about the old systems you own like the Fairchild Channel F and Colecovision. Maybe you could write a history section and explain the comings and goings of these mystery machines. If you do I hope you draw pictures of the controllers and consoles themselves and describe how they compare to the 2600 and NES. Are you going to do a review of Monster Lair? I’m not familiar with it and am curious to know your high score.Regarding Pitfall, where David Crane says “if you find any writing materials in the jungle, drop me a line”. I do not think he meant there were such things in the game itself but only that he wishes to correspond with Pitfall gamers who are metaphysically “deep in the jungle”.

Finally, is Staten Island an actual island or just the name of a town in New York City? Is the pizza good there?

Keep in Touch,

Steve GintyEditor of Warp!

p.s. I’m going to try to send you a review of a NES game from before 1988 but I don’t think I have any carts that old! If not I’ll try to rent one at Mega Movies.

TV Pixx was one "11 Alive", possibly local NY/NJ area only. It was around in 1979 and 1980, but may have gone on a little later. They call you up, an on the phone, you yell "Pixx" when you want to fire or use some kind of action button. I played their basketball game.

Staten Island is an actual island in NYC. Islands are common around here. Manhattan is one too.

One burning question that will remain with him until his dying days....."Was my victory really worth the price I had to pay?"